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http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3719572

The acquisition of QB Craig Krenzel off waivers from the Bears strengthens the position and heats up the competition with Casey Bramlet for the No. 3 job behind starter Carson Palmer and backup Jon Kitna. Krenzel's arrival likely spells doom for undrafted rookie Josh Haldi because there aren't enough snaps for five QBs at training camp. Krenzel lacks arm strength and his accuracy suffers at times, but the experience he received as a rookie starter in Chicago, coupled with his leadership skills, high intelligence and gritty determination are major pluses. The club appreciated Bramlet's willingness to go to Europe, where he showed excellent improvement. But the team wants to give Krenzel a chance to prove himself as a worthy backup. . . .

One of the goals in drafting WRs Chris Henry and Tab Perry was to light a fire under third-year vet Kelley Washington. So far, so good. Washington is running more disciplined routes while showing good hands and fine speed. As good as he looks, Washington's inability to play special teams could cost him a job. One-dimensional receivers are a luxury the team can't afford.

SCOUTING REPORT: Despite losing his starting job to Justin Smith, LE Duane Clemons remains an important part of the team because of his versatility to play on either side. He's a skilled, upfield pass rusher who is best in space. He has a quick first step, uses his hands well and gets good separation. He has a fine closing burst to the quarterback, can chase down ball carriers from the backside and shows good pursuit. But Clemons doesn't have great lower-body strength, which causes him to struggle at times when teams pound the ball at him. He still reads and reacts well, and has learned to play with good leverage. He has a chance to excel in a backup role behind Smith and RE Robert Geathers because he won't take the pounding as an every-down end.

COACH UNDER PRESSURE: Linebackers coach Ricky Hunley's job is by no means in jeopardy. The ex-NFL star is an intense, knowledgeable and highly-motivated teacher. But the mere fact he's grooming so much young talent in an effort to improve the league's 26th-ranked run defense means he's firmly under head coach Marvin Lewis' microscope. With two new starters in LLB David Pollack and MLB Odell Thurman, plus three second-year backups in Landon Johnson, Caleb Miller and Larry Stevens, Hunley must bring the unit up to speed quickly. He'll lean on veteran RLB Brian Simmons' leadership skills to keep the unit glued together. Hunley will carry out coordinator Chuck Bresnahan's wishes to keep the scheme simple. Pollack and Thurman are active players who bring the kind of speed and intensity that will give the unit some play-making personality.

INSIDE DISH: The agent for Pro Bowl RT Willie Anderson recently met with management to propose an extension for the 10-year veteran. Anderson, who turns 30 on July 11, has two years remaining on his current contract at base salaries of $3.85 million (2005) and $4.75 million (2006). His agent wants a five-year extension that would make Anderson a Bengal through 2011, but the club is more interested in a three-year deal in the $10 million range. A lot hinges on how Anderson recovers from offseason surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee. He's due to be 100 percent for training camp. Anderson has been a great player and model citizen, so negotiations won't turn ugly. The two sides are talking, and that's a positive sign.

TIGHT ENDS ANALYSIS: GRADE C Reggie Kelly, Matt Schobel and Tony Stewart don't catch a lot of passes, but their stellar blocking helps protect QB Carson Palmer and spring TB Rudi Johnson.

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TIGHT ENDS ANALYSIS: GRADE C Reggie Kelly, Matt Schobel and Tony Stewart don't catch a lot of passes, but their stellar blocking helps protect QB Carson Palmer and spring TB Rudi Johnson.

:lol: What matt schobel is he watching?

Otherwise a good article though. Good to hear about washington, i really cant imagine him not making the team, even if he doesnt play special teams. Also, i really hope they keep Bramlet over Krenzel.

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TIGHT ENDS ANALYSIS: GRADE C Reggie Kelly, Matt Schobel and Tony Stewart don't catch a lot of passes, but their stellar blocking helps protect QB Carson Palmer and spring TB Rudi Johnson.

:lol: What matt schobel is he watching?

Otherwise a good article though. Good to hear about washington, i really cant imagine him not making the team, even if he doesnt play special teams. Also, i really hope they keep Bramlet over Krenzel.

Ditto

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Otherwise a good article though. Good to hear about washington, i really cant imagine him not making the team, even if he doesnt play special teams. Also, i really hope they keep Bramlet over Krenzel.

Not sure how I feel about the squirrel right now. I hope he is working hard. Seems to have been in cruise up to now. I'll reserve judgment for what I see in the preseason where he should get a lot of looks. I do agree about Bramlet over Krenzel though. I hate those OSU guys that seem just to be there in order to give all the homies a nice warm feeling inside. Doesn't everybody agree that his arm makes Kitna look like Jeff George? I'm happy that he's a smart guy, but Bramlet seems far more ready to perform if necessary. I hope they're not home-towning this one. Those decisions have worked poorly in the past.

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http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3719572

SCOUTING REPORT: Despite losing his starting job to Justin Smith, LE Duane Clemons remains an important part of the team because of his versatility to play on either side.

This guy's not so bright. Duane didn't lose his starting job to Justin Smith, he lost his starting job to Robert Geathers, and Smith was moved to his side. Smith was a starter, he didn't take anyone's job.

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Time will tell if Big Duane remains a part of the team at all.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Derrick Crawford bounce Duane off the roster. The guy showed well playing 4-3 DE and 3-4 DT for Frankfurt this spring. He's got the combo of size, burst, and power at either DE or DT to make Duane expendable in short order, plus he's got much better back side pursuit and quickness on contain than Duane has. If Crawford gets cut to be put on PS. I'd think somebody claims him because of how versatile he is.

But Big Duane won't go out easy.

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Time will tell if Big Duane remains a part of the team at all.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Derrick Crawford bounce Duane off the roster. The guy showed well playing 4-3 DE and 3-4 DT for Frankfurt this spring. He's got the combo of size, burst, and power at either DE or DT to make Duane expendable in short order, plus he's got much better back side pursuit and quickness on contain than Duane has. If Crawford gets cut to be put on PS. I'd think somebody claims him because of how versatile he is.

But Big Duane won't go out easy.

Right on man. I think Marvin is PO'ed at Clemons. When asked what he thought of Clemons at mini-camp, marvin said he hadn't noticed....OUCH....Crawford is a legitimate contender I think....

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[

One of the goals in drafting WRs Chris Henry and Tab Perry was to light a fire under third-year vet Kelley Washington. So far, so good. Washington is running more disciplined routes while showing good hands and fine speed. As good as he looks, Washington's inability to play special teams could cost him a job. One-dimensional receivers are a luxury the team can't afford.

Funny that.

Kevin Walters is the very definition of a one-dimensional receiver and even then the one dimension he provides comes by way of special teams. As a wideout he's just a guy. Meanwhile, Kelley Washington plays a real role in the offense and is said to have improved in all phases yet his job is in jeapordy and he too is is called one-dimensional because...get this...he doesn't play a gunner role in the return games?

Yeah, funny that.

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Now that I think of it diden't they draft perry to do returning? so mybe they did that incase they keep kdub =P

Dang it Kaz! ^_^ Chris or Tab? We have two Perrys ya' remember?

The Bengals also have: 2 Smiths, (Justin and Shaun) 3 Williams, (Madieu, Brandon and Bobbie) and five Johnsons (Chad, Rudi, Belton, Jeremi, and Landon) who are all looking to pop 1 Cherry (Matt). :P Sorry...got carried away there! :rolleyes:

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Now that I think of it diden't they draft perry to do returning? so mybe they did that incase they keep kdub =P

Dang it Kaz! ^_^ Chris or Tab? We have two Perrys ya' remember?

The Bengals also have: 2 Smiths, (Justin and Shaun) 3 Williams, (Madieu, Brandon and Bobbie) and five Johnsons (Chad, Rudi, Belton, Jeremi, and Landon) who are all looking to pop 1 Cherry (Matt). :P Sorry...got carried away there! :rolleyes:

What perry did we draft for special teams ;)

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Dang it Kaz!  ^_^  Chris or Tab? We have two Perrys ya' remember?

True, but it's easy keeping track of them as only one Bengal player named Perry is actually able to play football.

You are right, Chris Perry is probly the only one who will play football this year. Tab im assuming will be on the practice squad or another team.

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From the title of your post, where do you get Hunley under fire? Under pressure to get a lot of really young guys ready, yes. Under fire to keep his job? Probably not from what's in this article.

Pressure is not fire. Hell, Marvin is under pressure to get to the Super Bowl. Do you really think he's under fire and in danger of losing his job?

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This K-Dub perspective seems to contradict what Curnette and Hobson have been saying. The Fox stuff is good for a pep talk, but I don't know how far I trust a columnist who doesn't sign his name.

One. More. Time.

All of the Fox reports are written by Chick Ludwig of the Dayton Daily News.

If you click the link, you will find his byline atop the story; chad711 just didn't copy/paste it.

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